World Table Tennis Day Main Event Documentary launched
We may not all live in an equal world, with access to opportunities to make a better life, but we do all own this world and have a responsibility to make it better. Sport as an enabler of positive social change affirms our passion to promote inclusion.
For the past one year the ITTF Foundation has been implementing six programs; TT4ALL, TTDreamBuilding, TT4Health, NeTTworking, PingPong Diplomacy and TTLegacy. The recently launched Dream Building Fund saw the inauguration of six projects across the world, Slum Ping Pong (SPP) in Nsambya Slum Uganda being among them.
Partnering with SPP will now enable table tennis access to three more schools where an initial turnout of 120 children can be expected.
Solidarity through Table Tennis
All over the world, we continue to see hardships and work through some of the biggest global challenges of our time, humanitarian assistance is an important focus of many development partners. Reducing the impact of disasters, conflicts and inequalities for affected communities call on a more holistic approach. This requires special focus on the mental and overall well being of vulnerable individuals - rebuilding again and rebuilding together.
“Being handicapped yet still playing a game I love and encouraging others - these are things I never imagined I could do”. Ibrahim Hamadtou - Paralympic Champion.
For 2019’s fifth edition of World Table Tennis Day, the ITTF Foundation celebrated in Nsambya Slum Uganda with Dream Building Fund recipient Slum Ping Pong and in Hoima district with its long-term partner HONECRIC. The presence here was to stand in solidarity with the resilient, passionate and extraordinary table tennis community and pioneers of social change. Pioneers like Amstardam Emanuel Bazira who leads a determined team of 11 young coaches, including three young women giving table tennis lessons to children from poor and marginalized communities.
There is a story of hope, that table tennis can change lives, bring opportunities through education and life skills and transform communities. The ITTF Foundation commits to build together and to foster peace and stability, gender equality, youth development, inclusion and healthier communities through table tennis.
Watch the video now!
World Table Tennis Day 2019: Main event in Kampala, Uganda (Slum Ping Pong)
Article by Jacqueline Njeri